Chapter One: Mentors and Parentage

It was the third year since Joe Hayabusa had departed for the sacred wilderness. He'd gone to further his training. Now young Ryu Hayabusa had training of his own.

The young ninja made his way up the slopes of Mount Fuji. The trees were swaying in the winds, fall leaves were strewn across the path he walked. Above him, he could see the shadow ninja fortress on a great slope. That was his destination. Despite himself, Ryu felt very nervous. The invitation he had received on his sixteenth birthday had been unexpected.

His uncle Murai had invited him to the shadow ninja fortress for special training. Ryu did not know what to think about it. He'd never met his Uncle before and had only been aware of his existence through stories told by his father. He wondered what he was like, and why he was interested in Ryu when he had never made contact before now. Curiosity as much as a desire to become stronger had driven Ryu to seek Murai out. He knew that a ninja should not allow personal connections to drive his actions. But Ryu had never been a very good ninja to begin with.

He kept walking, taking a moment to admire the surroundings. Then there was a movement out of the corner of his eye. Ryu ducked in time as a blade passed over his head, and leaped back as a black-clad ninja surged toward him. He set his hand to his own blade-

Then a sword came to rest at his jugular. Ryu became very tense as he realized he might not survive what came next. He might die. He did not want to die.

'You are dead.' said the ninja with a note of contempt, 'with skills like yours, you would never survive in the real world anyway.'

Ryu said nothing. There did not seem to be anything to say. He looked back and saw coming out of the trees and from behind the rocks many black and white clad ninjas. He hadn't seen any of them coming up here. He might have been killed at any time.

As usual, he'd failed where it counted most.

The blade was withdrawn from his neck and the ninja sheathed their weapons. 'Come with us. Murai is waiting.'

They led, and Ryu followed without knowing what to think.

The shadow ninja fortress was built on a plateau overlooking the Hayabusa village. It was made of wood and stone, and within it were many secret passages. There were trapdoors which Ryu fell into on his way in. There were doors which did not look like doors. Entrances so thin that one could walk by them without noticing.

Finally, they came to a door and here the ninja leading him stepped aside. 'He waits for you inside.'

Ryu resisted the urge to gulp, before sliding the door open and walking through. Within was a spacious wood-paneled room. There was a window overlooking the colorful woods of fall beneath a waning sky. It was a very beautiful sight, and he Ryu found Murai looking out over it.

Murai was a tall man, broad of shoulder with a muscular physique. He wore simple brown clothes, good for fighting, which bared his arms. His skin was tan, and his hair was white and he turned to look at Ryu with a calculating gaze. 'I am told you are something of a disappointment, Ryu Hayabasa.'

The words hurt, even if Ryu did not show it. His talent for stealth was nonexistent, and his sword skills were rather lacking. He knew all the techniques, but he had no talent for using them. 'My skills are not satisfactory, no.'

'That may change in time.' mused Murai. 'Tell me, what is the source of power?'

The question took Ryu off guard, and he had to take a moment to consider it. He did not want to appear a fool to his uncle. 'Discipline.' Was what he decided. 'Discipline and ones ability to press on no matter the challenges.'

Discipline was something Ryu lacked. He'd never had much passion for the way of the ninja, and that had taken its toll on his ability to excel. All his friends were far better at one thing or another, while he lagged behind. A ninja who couldn't hide to save his life.

'An adequate answer, for now.' mused Murai. 'Yet not correct. In truth, the source of power is one's ability to make manifest one's will upon the world. To achieve one's objectives. One might slay whole armies and still fail, and not lift a finger, yet still, succeed. That is the secret of power. One's ability to succeed.

'Everything else is secondary.'

'And what are your goals?' asked Ryu, before cursing himself mentally for asking.

If the question displeased him, however, Murai did not show it. He seemed to consider it. 'I am a disciple of the pursuit of power, young Ryu. For power is both everything and nothing at once.' He drew out a pair of nunchucks. 'Draw your sword, Ryu. I would see how you fair in a direct confrontation.'

Ryu obeyed and both of them took stances. A tense silence followed as Ryu vowed to himself he would not be a disappointment. Not this time. He rushed to make the first strike.

Ryu's blade was turned and then he was slammed repeatedly with a flurry of nunchuck strikes. They left him bruised and battered on the floor. Ryu rolled away in time to avoid having his neck stepped on by Murai, arising and slashing again. Again he failed, but at least he was able to evade Murai's counterattack. Yet Murai pressed his assault, and Ryu was struck across the face and stomach and leg.

Falling to one knee, Ryu looked up to see Murai flourishing his nunchucks with practiced ease. His expression was stoic. Misdirection, Ryu had to use misdirection here. He moved as though about to charge, then rolled around Murai and brought around his sword. Yet his blade was knocked aside, and Murai grabbed him with one hand by the neck. He slammed him hard against the floor. Ryu tried to rise, then felt a boot strike his stomach, sending him flying to slam against the far wall. Groaning in pain, Ryu got to his feet. His arms were shaking, his legs were barely supporting him. His sword was scarcely in his grip as he took a stance.

Without changing expressions Murai surged forward and knocked the blade from his hand. With a flurry of strikes against Ryu, he slammed the young ninja, again and again, striking him from side to side. Finally, he brought round one leg in a roundhouse kick and sent Ryu spinning across the room. The pain was numbed by the sheer shock, his vision was swimming as he hit the ground.

He would not be a disappointment.

His sword was near. He could almost reach it. Bending forward was sheer agony, but he took up his blade and rose but to his feet. Every inch of his body hurt with the agony of Murai's assault. Yet he managed to take a stance.

Murai smiled and raised a hand to call things to their halt.

'You impress me, ninja dog.' said Murai. 'Not by your skill, but your resolve. You do not give up. Yet you must realize that I, or the dozens of my ninjas could have killed you at any time. Let me ask you this: Do you still wish for training? For it will only become harsher from here.'

Ryu sheathed his sword as best as he could manage. 'I… do…'

Then his knees yielded and he hit the ground. It was all he could do to support himself on his sword for a moment before he lapsed into unconsciousness.

Many years ago, Murai had departed the Hayabusa village. He had done so seeking greater power. Eventually, he had established his own clan, in the fortress which even now Ryu was entering. The two clans were very near one another, less than a day's march, less if one hurried. But there was very little contact. The shadow ninjas kept to themselves. They were no enemies, but neither could they exactly be called friends.

Kureha had never quite heard what it was that had driven Murai to leave the Hayabusa village. It was simply never spoken of. Some rumors said that it had been a disagreement between the brothers over who should be head of the clan. Others, more concerning, regarded the Dark Dragon Blade.

She halted in her sweeping of the steps of the shrine where the sword was sealed away. Something was wrong, she could sense it. Setting her broom aside she made her way into the shrine and looked to where the Dark Dragon Blade was sealed. The serrated and jagged sword was glowing. Kureha remembered stories. It was said to manipulate the hearts and minds of those who it judged worthy.

How far did its influence extend? And did it reach beyond the shrine?

She didn't know.

There had been a rise of fiend activity over the past few decades. Was it possible that this was somehow connected with the Dark Dragon Blade? It seemed doubtful that it was pure coincidence. She made her way out of the shrine and shut the door with a troubled heart.

'Sister is something wrong?' asked a voice.

Kureha looked up to see her younger sister approaching. 'It's nothing Momiji, just nerves. If you aren't too busy I could use your help sweeping the rest of the leaves away.'

'Do I have to?' asked Momiji. 'All this cleaning up is boring?'

'All shrine maidens have their duties, Momiji.' said Kureha as she picked up her broom. 'You should attend to them with your whole heart.'

'Alright, alright.' mused Momiji.

Momiji had not been complaining quite as much as usual. She had made an effort to do her tasks. Yet Kureha was beginning to doubt the young girl was cut out for this kind of life. And with the Dark Dragon Blade acting strangely, she wasn't sure she wanted Momiji at the shrine. 'I hope Ryu is alright.' she said to herself.

Doku had been looking for something. Something he had not been able to find. There was a potential that had arisen within Vigoor, one who might well become a greater fiend. The Vigoor Emperor had been very clear about that. Doku's senses affirmed what the Emperor had said, as they always did.

So where were they?

He made his way through the streets of a town in the outlying area around the Vigoor capital. The usual sort of place, with barred windows and reinforced doors. All the cities and towns of Vigoor used a standard building plan. One which lent itself to defensive fighting. It was the way of things, that was how Vigoor had chosen to do it, and that was how it was done to this day.

Then he sensed something. A fiendish presence arising some ways away. Such things had been occurring far more often in recent years. A sign of the Emperor's coming ascension no doubt. Whatever the reason, Doku decided he would head this particular threat off. Even the Emperor's least valuable subjects had some value. It would not do for them to be devoured without purpose.

Making his way to the edge of the town he saw the fiend. A giant red dinosaur with razor sharp claws and teeth meant for devouring flesh, a gahrulas. It was pursuing two girls, both blonde. They were in that awkward period between childhood and full-fledged womanhood. Both had strikingly similar appearances, having developed early. And developed in a very impressive way. Their knees scuffed, and their clothes old and ragged. Both were defenseless.

One of them, the younger, tripped and fell forward. The other, rather than leave her sibling, Doku was sure they were siblings now, she stepped before her. Was she really going to stare down a garuhlas.

Within them, Doku felt the spark.

Surging between them Doku barred the wretched creature's path, and it halted fearfully. 'Unworthy beast,' the spirit samurai scoffed, 'you will not lay a hand on these.' Then drawing his sword, Doku slashed the creature. The cut was clean and left no blood on his sword. Sheathing it, Doku turned round as the beast fell to pieces behind him. 'You are safe now, for the moment.'

'You…' the girl was staring at him in awe, 'you are Doku.'

'My reputation proceeds me, I see.' said Doku. 'Tell me, what are your names? And what blood relations do you have in this place?'

'I…' the girl paused. 'I'm Rachel. My sister is Alma. We're orphans.'

'Can she not speak for herself?' asked Doku, noting the way the one called Alma looked up at Rachel.

'She is mute.' said Rachel. 'I… we don't want to take up any more of your time sir. We'll-'

'I did not save you to no purpose.' said Doku. 'I sense within both of you great power. You are the ones I have been searching for, yes I am sure of it.'

'What are you talking about?' asked Rachel. 'We're just… street rats.'

'Whatever your position, your bloodline is among the noblest of all.' said Doku. 'You have in you the blood of fiends. It calls out to others of its kind naturally. Once awakened, it cannot be put to sleep again. This fiend which sought to devour you will only be the first. Continue as you are now, and you will surely be devoured.'

'But we're nobody.' said Rachel.

'At the moment, yes.' said Doku. 'However, with my tutelage, you may become very powerful indeed. Join me, and I will train both of you in the arts of war, that these fiends would be nothing to you. You will be given food and shelter at the expense of the church, of course. If you are talented and disciplined enough, in time you may even gain strength enough to ascend. To gain the immortality and strength of a greater fiend.' He paused, decided that with the carrot in the open now was the time to produce the stick. 'Or you may remain a cowering mortal and be made the meal of the next fiend that comes by.

'It is your choice. You will not get another chance to make it.' He offered a gauntlet.

Rachel remained silent and looked to Alma who stood up. Then she looked back to Doku. 'Has anyone ever said no?' She took his hand.

If Doku had possessed a face instead of a helmet he would have smiled. He liked this girl.

Authors Note:

Okay, this story is planned to be a novelization of Ninja Gaiden Sigma.

The problem with novelizing Ninja Gaiden is that large chunks of the story are offscreen. Instead, the narrative focuses on the action. It only brings in the bare minimum amount of data about the various characters involved in the story.

A novel requires more than that. So I am beginning not with the first mission but with Ryu first coming to train with Murai. And Rachel being recruited by Doku. Now I'll admit Rachel and Alma being trained by Doku is not canon. But then again neither Rachel nor Alma have much of a backstory. They are Vigoorian, and they would have to learn their epic fighting styles somewhere.

So having them be trained by Doku seemed like a logical step.